Your Chevy Equinox EV will likely lose 57% of its value in five years—with most of that vanishing in year one. That brutal truth puts it behind comparable gas models, thanks to relentless tech obsolescence, federal incentives that evaporate on the secondary market, and an EV supply wave that’s just beginning. But before you panic about that depreciation curve, there’s a side to this story the doom-and-gloom headlines conveniently ignore. The resale equation for electric vehicles isn’t what it seems on the surface, and what happens in years two through five might completely reframe how you think about EV ownership costs.
Equinox EV Depreciates Faster Than Gas Models
While the Chevy Equinox EV offers attractive long-term savings through dramatically lower energy costs, it’ll depreciate faster than its gas-powered sibling over the first five years—a reality you’ll want to factor into your purchase decision.
The Chevy Equinox EV depreciates faster than gas models, though long-term energy savings offset the initial value loss.
Here’s the math: you’re looking at a 57% depreciation rate on the EV versus a more moderate decline for gas models.
That means your $40,839 Equinox EV drops to roughly $17,757 after five years, assuming 13,500 annual miles and good condition.
Gas Equinox models depreciate around $15,043 over the same period, translating to better resale value through year three.
The culprit? Market perception of battery longevity (despite Chevy’s solid 8-year/100,000-mile warranty) and the EV market’s current volatility.
Used Chevy EVs have depreciated over $25,000 within months. Purchasing a 2-year-old Equinox EV can save you approximately $18,406 compared to buying new, offering a strategic alternative to absorb the steepest depreciation curve.
However, don’t let steeper depreciation overshadow the bigger picture—your operational savings substantially offset this initial value loss over time.
How Much Will Your Equinox EV Lose in Year 1?
How steep’s that first-year cliff? You’re looking at roughly $14,600–$20,000 in depreciation—that’s 49–50% of your Equinox EV’s value vanishing in twelve months.
CarEdge projects a $20,750 resale value against your $40,839 MSRP purchase price, while Kelley Blue Book estimates around $20,382 after year one.
Why the dramatic drop? Your vehicle’s high initial sticker price amplifies the absolute dollar loss.
Battery technology evolves rapidly; manufacturers release updated models yearly, triggering market adjustments. The 2026 model year’s transition to NACS charging ports demonstrates how quickly EV specifications shift, compelling buyers to reassess older inventory.
Though the eight-year/100,000-mile battery warranty supports used pricing, buyers still perceive EVs as depreciating assets during market shifts. Most owners who purchase a 2-year-old Equinox EV instead of new can save approximately 11,068 dollars in depreciation costs over their first few years of ownership.
Here’s the reality: year-one depreciation accounts for roughly 65% of your total five-year loss.
That aggressive first-year slide reflects broader EV market volatility more than your Equinox’s actual condition or capability.
Grasping this course helps you budget ownership costs realistically.
Why Does EV Depreciation Exceed Gas-Powered Cars?
Because you’re starting from a higher purchase price, your Equinox EV depreciates faster than a comparable gas-powered sedan—and that’s just the beginning.
EVs lose roughly 59% of their value over five years versus 46% for traditional vehicles.
That gap widens dramatically in year one, when new EV incentives (federal tax credits, state rebates) artificially inflate initial pricing. Once you drive off the lot, those incentives evaporate, and your vehicle’s actual market value drops accordingly. According to Car and Driver’s 2022 analysis, higher purchase price combined with steeper depreciation can offset the lower energy and maintenance cost advantages that EVs typically offer.
Meanwhile, rapid battery and powertrain advances make older EV tech feel dated quickly.
Range doubled over a decade; efficiency jumped with 800-volt systems. Buyers perceive this obsolescence acutely, steering toward newer models with longer ranges.
Growing used EV supply outpaces demand, further pressuring resale prices. Your Equinox EV competes against an expanding inventory of cheaper alternatives—a trend absent in the slower-moving used gas car market.
Equinox EV Depreciation Costs Over 5 Years
You’ll watch your Equinox EV shed $23,082 over five years—a steeper percentage drop (57%) than the gas model’s 52% despite costing $6,294 more upfront—which means you’re facing roughly $4,616 in annual depreciation hits.
Year one hammers hardest with a $16,589 nosedive that flattens considerably by year five, leaving you with a $17,757 resale value, though that path varies depending on mileage and trim level (RS models depreciate an extra $9,000 or so compared to base configurations). Trade-in prices may be lower than retail values, potentially affecting your actual net proceeds when selling or trading in your vehicle.
When stacked against total five-year ownership costs of $49,837—including maintenance, insurance, and fuel—that depreciation becomes the second-largest expense category after insurance, making your real cost-to-own snapshot substantially steeper than the sticker price suggests.
Total Cost Of Ownership
When you’re calculating what an Equinox EV’ll actually cost over five years, depreciation’s the heavyweight in that equation—and it’s substantial. You’re looking at roughly $23,000 in value loss from a $40,839 MSRP, leaving you with around $17,757 at resale. That’s a 57% depreciation hit—hefty, but comparable to other EVs facing similar market pressures.
Beyond depreciation, total ownership costs break down across five categories: maintenance runs approximately $1,673 (EVs require less upkeep than gas counterparts), insurance totals $12,030, fuel costs hover around $2,245, and financing adds $6,375 assuming a 72-month loan at 6.99% APR with 20% down. Combined, you’re absorbing roughly $46,000 across five years—depreciation consuming the largest slice of that pie. Strong market demand significantly influences how well an Equinox EV holds its resale value over time.
Year-By-Year Value Decline
Depreciation’s the engine that drives total ownership costs, and grasping how the Equinox EV sheds value year by year reveals where your investment actually goes.
Your $40,839 purchase depreciates $16,589 in year one, leaving you with a $24,250 resale value.
Year two accelerates the decline—another $18,406 vanishes, dropping residual value to 54.93%. By year three, you’re looking at $20,750 (50.81% retained).
The pattern steepens through years four and five, in the end losing 57% of your initial investment across five years. Those 67,500 cumulative miles compound the effect. Appreciating this path matters because it shapes your true ownership cost and informs whether leasing or buying serves your priorities better.
EV Versus Gas Comparison
While the Equinox EV’s lower operating costs are attractive, they don’t fully offset what happens when you try to sell it—the EV depreciates roughly $7,000 to $8,000 more than its gas counterpart over five years, a gap that matters substantially when you’re calculating true ownership expense.
| Category | Equinox EV | Gas Equinox |
|---|---|---|
| Depreciation (5 years) | $22,264–$23,082 | ~$15,043 |
| Fuel/Energy Costs (5 years) | $2,644–$3,780 | $13,638 |
| Maintenance Costs (5 years) | $1,673–$1,955 | ~$5,200 |
You’ll save considerably on energy and maintenance, but the EV’s steeper resale decline reflects market demand uncertainty. That $7,000–$8,000 depreciation premium effectively eats into your operating savings, making the total cost advantage narrower than fuel numbers alone suggest. The emerging EV market simply hasn’t stabilized residual values like established gas platforms have.
Is the Equinox EV a Better Buy Than the EV6 or IONIQ 5?
You’ll save $2,175 to $12,575 upfront when opting for the Equinox EV over the EV6 or IONIQ 5, though that initial advantage gets complicated when you factor in resale value—your Equinox drops to $17,757 after five years (57% depreciation), while Korean competitors typically hold value better despite their steeper warranty coverage favoring longer ownership.
The efficiency gap matters too: you’re trading the EV6 and IONIQ 5’s superior 114 MPGe ratings (versus your Equinox’s 103 MPGe) for lower purchase cost, meaning you’ll spend more on electricity over time to offset what you saved at the dealership. The Equinox EV qualifies for multiple incentive programs, including up to $5,000 in customer cash and $500 offers for educators, military members, and first responders, which can further reduce your effective purchase price.
Whether the Equinox makes financial sense in the end hinges on whether you prioritize keeping initial costs down or whether you’re planning to own the vehicle long enough that better efficiency and resale performance justify the competitors’ premium pricing.
Price Advantage Comparison
When you’re shopping for an electric midsize crossover under $45,000, the pricing question cuts straight to the heart of value: does the Chevrolet Equinox EV deliver more bang for your buck than the Hyundai IONIQ 5 or Kia EV6?
The numbers tell a persuasive story. You’ll spend $36,495 on an Equinox EV base model versus $36,600 for the IONIQ 5—essentially identical territory. The EV6, however, jumps to $44,395, forcing you to front an additional $7,900 for comparable capability. That’s roughly a 22% premium before options pile on. Even maxed out, the Equinox EV tops out at $45,895, still undercutting the EV6’s entry price. Your capital stretches further with Chevrolet, translating directly into resale equity when depreciation calculations eventually arrive.
Resale Value Performance
The pricing advantage that makes the Equinox EV such an attractive entry point—roughly $7,900 cheaper than an EV6—doesn’t automatically translate to resale equity once depreciation enters the equation. While you’re paying less upfront, you’re also watching your investment erode faster than competitors’ vehicles.
| Vehicle | Starting MSRP | Year 5 Resale | Depreciation % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equinox EV | $35,100 | $17,757 | 57% |
| EV6 | $47,675 | TBD | Unknown |
| IONIQ 5 | $46,675 | TBD | Unknown |
| Gas Equinox | $34,545 | $16,544 | 52% |
Here’s the reality: your Equinox EV depreciates steeper than its gas counterpart despite costing more initially. Market volatility in EV pricing creates unpredictability. You’re effectively paying the entry-level premium without the residual value security competitors might offer—though comparable data remains elusive.
Range And Features
So depreciation stings—but here’s where it gets interesting: whether you’re actually overpaying depends less on what your Equinox EV loses in resale value and more on what you’re getting for that $35,100 entry price right now.
You’re buying into serious range credentials.
The FWD model delivers 319 EPA miles—matching the EV6’s base offering while undercutting the IONIQ 5’s starting specs.
That translates to resale appeal; buyers chase range like they chase reliability.
Consider your ownership value proposition:
- Charging speed: 10-90% in 51 minutes at 94 kW average keeps you competitive
- Feature density: 17.7-inch Google-integrated touchscreen with 20+ safety systems standard
- Practical capability: 1,500-lb towing and 57.2 cu.ft. cargo volume outpace direct competitors
Strong specs today preserve demand tomorrow.
How High Mileage and Wear Cut Your Resale Price
Because mileage and wear directly erode what buyers’ll pay for your Equinox EV, grasping how these factors compound over time helps you make smarter ownership decisions.
Mileage and wear erode resale value faster than you’d expect, making informed ownership decisions critical.
At 67,500 miles (five years of typical driving), your Equinox EV retains 43.48% value—roughly $17,757 from a $40,839 purchase price.
Push to 10 years and 135,000 miles, and depreciation balloons to 72.19%, leaving just $11,357.
Wear accelerates value loss beyond standard depreciation charts.
Poor condition cuts resale further than mileage alone suggests.
High wear drives up repair costs—KBB forecasts $1,955 over five years—while insurance premiums climb due to battery complexity.
The EV depreciates faster initially than comparable gas models, though both converge at extended ownership periods.
Exceeding the standard 15,000-mile-per-year assumption compounds these losses, pushing your residual value lower with each extra thousand miles driven.
Does Leasing Protect Against Equinox EV Depreciation?
What if you could dodge the depreciation bullet altogether?
Leasing the Equinox EV effectively transfers that risk from you to General Motors, which absorbs the gap between inflated residual values and actual market depreciation.
Here’s how you win:
- Lower monthly payments – GM’s high residual assumptions (built on federal tax credit integration) keep your lease under $351/month for 24 months, substantially less than ownership’s depreciation cost.
- Warranty coverage shields you – Continuous bumper-to-bumper protection eliminates surprise repair expenses that compound depreciation pain for owners.
- Upgrade flexibility – Return your vehicle every few years to lease a newer model, sidestepping the Equinox EV’s projected 57% five-year depreciation cliff ($40,839 to $17,757).
You’re practically hedging against EV market volatility without betting your equity on resale uncertainties.
Protect Your Equinox EV’s Resale Value Before Selling
Leasing shields you from depreciation risk, but if you’ve already bought your Equinox EV or plan to own one outright, you’ll need a deliberate strategy to protect what you’ve invested.
Start by maintaining factory standards religiously. Documented service records directly support higher resale offers—dealers notice gaps.
Your Equinox EV depreciates roughly $23,082 over five years, but proper upkeep slows that bleeding. Consider a Chevrolet-backed EV Protection Plan, particularly the Platinum tier covering key electric components.
It signals reliability to future buyers and mitigates repair costs that’d tank your residual value. Keep mileage controlled; every mile logged reduces that $17,757 average five-year residual value.
Track maintenance diligently. Document everything. Lower insurance claims history? That enhances perceived condition too. These steps aren’t glamorous, but they’re proven depreciation fighters.
Gas vs. EV: The Complete Depreciation Comparison
When you’re comparing the Equinox EV against its gas-powered sibling, depreciation tells a story that initial purchase price alone can’t capture.
Depreciation reveals what purchase price alone cannot: the true ownership economics of the Equinox EV versus gas.
The EV loses 57% of its value over five years, while the gas model depreciates just 52%—a meaningful gap that affects your long-term ownership costs.
Here’s where they diverge:
- Year 1 impact: The EV sheds $16,589 (40.62% residual value) versus the gas model’s steadier decline
- Five-year resale: EV holds $17,757 versus the gas version’s $16,544—surprisingly close despite higher percentage loss
- Monthly operating costs: EV fuel savings ($588) offset by higher insurance, while gas models save $256 monthly on fuel alone
The EV’s steeper depreciation curve reflects market uncertainty around battery longevity and advancing technology.
Federal tax credits further complicate comparisons, artificially inflating residual values.
If you’re serious about ownership economics, focus less on percentage decline and more on total out-of-pocket costs—depreciation plus insurance, fuel, and maintenance combined.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the Best Time to Sell My Used Equinox EV for Maximum Resale Value?
You’ll maximize your Equinox EV’s resale value by selling before the 90-day depreciation cycle accelerates further. Act now while demand remains strong—don’t wait as market trends show declining prices and increasing inventory pressure.
How Do Battery Degradation Concerns Affect Equinox EV Resale Values?
You’ll find battery degradation concerns are fading fast. Real-world Equinox EV data shows exceptional retention—some owners report minimal losses after 410,000 miles. You’re holding onto solid resale value.
Will Federal EV Tax Credits Impact My Vehicle’s Future Trade-In Value?
Your Equinox EV’s resale value gets a tailwind now that credits’ve expired. You’re joining a growing community where buyers won’t expect massive discounts, stabilizing your trade-in value considerably moving forward.
Are Certified Pre-Owned Equinox EVS Worth Buying Compared to New?
You’ll save roughly $7,000-$16,000 buying certified pre-owned Equinox EVs compared to new models. You’ll skip the steepest depreciation hit while gaining documented service history and warranty protection that matters to savvy EV owners.
How Do Regional Charging Infrastructure Differences Affect Equinox EV Resale Prices?
Your vehicle’s value vastly varies by zip code—you’ll see stronger resale in charging-rich regions where demand drives prices up, while sparse infrastructure areas see steeper depreciation since buyers won’t pay premium prices for limited usability.
